Fire danger is at its highest level again in Portugal: About 60 municipalities are at “maximum” risk

Hot, dry weather in Portugal has raised the rural fire danger again. On Sunday, September 20, around 60 municipalities in the Northern, Central and Algarve regions are at “maximum” rural fire danger, the highest level on IPMA's five-tier scale.

Considering very high risk areas, caution needs to be exercised in terms of the use of fire and rural activities in a large part of the country in the coming days.

Which regions stand out?

According to September 20 data, the municipalities at the maximum danger level are concentrated especially in the Bragança, Guarda, Viseu, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Leiria, Santarém, Portalegre and Faro regions.

Apart from this, there is a "very high" danger level in a wide area from north to south of the country.

IPMA's rural fire hazard classification consists of five levels, from low to maximum, and takes into account factors such as air temperature, relative humidity, wind and rainfall in the last 24 hours.

The risk is not limited to today only

According to IPMA assessments, very high or maximum fire danger is expected to continue in some regions in the coming days.

Hot weather conditions that affected a significant part of the country in the same period are also one of the meteorological factors that increase the fire danger.

Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil also states that hot, dry weather and wind are favorable for fire to start and spread rapidly. It warns that conditions may arise.

What does “maximum danger” mean in everyday life?

On days of very high or maximum rural fire danger, some activities may be subject to legal restrictions.

ANEPC's reminders include restrictions on lighting fires, certain burning activities, the use of certain machines in rural areas, and sources of fire such as fireworks.

However, since the rule to be applied may vary depending on the type of activity, region and existing permits, citizens need to check the current information of IPMA and competent authorities for their municipality.

How can you check the level where you live?

The current level can be seen by selecting the municipality and date on IPMA's official rural fire danger page.

It is especially important for those who live in rural areas, those who work in agriculture or forestry, and those who plan nature activities, to look not only at the general map of the country but also at the current situation of their own municipalities.

Resources

IPMA — Perigo de Incêndio Rural

https://www.ipma.pt/pt/riscoincendio/rcm.pt/pir-by-date.jsp

Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil

https://prociv.gov.pt/pt/home/

Diário de Viseu / Lusa — 20 September 2026

https://www.diarioviseu.pt/2026/09/20/cerca-de-60-concelhos-em-perigo-maximo-de-incendio-rural/